Video: Watch how a camera lens is made

If you've got a spare 25 minutes, this is a great video that shows how a camera lens is produced from start to finish.

The process covers everything from creating and shaping the individual glass elements, building the lens barrels and actuators, installing weather proofing and finally putting everything together into a finished product.

The video is by YouTube channel Process X, who create videos showing how a diverse range of products are made.

The channel's latest takes viewers into Japanese manufacturer Sigma’s factory to show how a lens is manufactured, showing all the steps in what is a very involved process, and probably at least part of the reason why quality camera lenses continue to command such high prices.

We also can't speak for all lens manufacturers, but it's remarkable how much of the process is done by hand, even with huge advances in automation. 

Cover image: Sigma